Memories of last season will drive Munster and Wallace forward

European Cup/Castres v Munster: David Wallace is a cause célèbre at present, a groundswell of opinion singling him out as the outstanding backrow forward in Irish rugby. The Six Nations Championship looms and Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan won't be short of advice.

Wallace, though, is pleading his case most eloquently - where it matters, on the pitch. He's been largely outstanding for Munster both sides of the Christmas period and should be a front runner for selection when the national side takes its Six Nations bow against Italy early next month.

On Friday night, in Stade Pierre Antoine, Munster will be hoping that he manages a high-profile contribution as they chase the victory needed to maintain their Heineken Cup ambitions for at least another week. It won't be easy, but then the Irish province doesn't really need a history lesson. The experience of last season's 19-12 defeat in Castres still rankles.

Wallace recalls that occasion: "It was tight enough at one stage as we recovered from being 13-3 down to 13-12 early in the second half. We lacked a little discipline after that and allowed them to pull away. It doesn't matter how they're doing this season in the tournament, they'll still want to beat us.

"The fact that we know the venue doesn't make it any easier. It's a bit of a cliché, but French sides at home are so difficult. They play with pride, a fierce desire in front of their own supporters and that's what we can look forward to on Friday night. We have a fantastic travelling support and that's very important for us. When things are tight, small things make a difference."

Wallace contends that there is nothing to differentiate between playing on a Friday night and a Saturday afternoon, but there is a pronounced difference in preparing for a late or early kick-off. "The later the kick-off the more time has to be killed. We used to have a great card school, but absent friends have been missed this season.

"You try and pass the time the usual way, watching television, DVDs or simply chatting. The early kick-offs mean that you're trying to eat pasta at nine in the morning. If we were staying in Toulouse (they're not, billeted locally in Castres) you'd be tempted to go out and have a stroll with a night-time game. It's about occupying the mind."

Munster's performance in last weekend's Celtic League victory over Edinburgh - the Irish province became the first side to win at Murrayfield this season - is a timely fillip.

Wallace counselled: "We did play very well at times, but they still had a kick to win the match. If they had managed it we would have been gutted."

He is reasonably happy with his own form. "Things have been going well from game to game, but there were a few matches when I should have played a lot better than I did. At this stage it is about keeping standards up and playing consistently.

"It's been a bit embarrassing to be singled out. Don't get me wrong, it's been great to get that support and I'm delighted on a personal level, but I'm not going to get carried away.

"I have responsibilities to my team and team-mates. If we were to play as individuals then we wouldn't get far. We've had so many big matches over the years and this one's another huge challenge. The team winning is all that matters."